Referendum could be on cards in summer: KKTC President
Mustafa Akıncı, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), has hinted that a referendum could be on the cards next summer, given the reunification negotiations in Geneva on Jan. 9-12 do not fail.
Speaking at an event, Akıncı briefed members of the press on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue. The Turkish Cypriot president said a referendum could become part of the agenda, if the Geneva negotiations bear fruit.
Akıncı, however, said there were some issues that need to be dealt with and will be discussed at the summit in Geneva.
"The Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides will be at the table, but the three guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and England, will join the talks afterwards," he said.
Negotiations resumed on May 15, 2015 after Akıncı was elected president. The two sides could not come to terms at the Nov. 20-21 talks, after the Greek Cypriot side failed to take some necessary steps.
The island was divided after a 1974-coup backed by a military junta in Athens was prevented by Turkey's intervention as a guarantor power.
Speaking at an event, Akıncı briefed members of the press on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue. The Turkish Cypriot president said a referendum could become part of the agenda, if the Geneva negotiations bear fruit.
Akıncı, however, said there were some issues that need to be dealt with and will be discussed at the summit in Geneva.
"The Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides will be at the table, but the three guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and England, will join the talks afterwards," he said.
Negotiations resumed on May 15, 2015 after Akıncı was elected president. The two sides could not come to terms at the Nov. 20-21 talks, after the Greek Cypriot side failed to take some necessary steps.
The island was divided after a 1974-coup backed by a military junta in Athens was prevented by Turkey's intervention as a guarantor power.